Community to replace defibrillator

Community to replace defibrillator

Members of the First Responders and a member of the Gardai view CCTV footage on Thursday morning

Following public outcry at the destruction of a defibrillator in Arklow on Thursday morning, the life saving equipment is set to be replaced by the members of the Arklow Community.

Local businesses have made donations and a collection box has been placed at the Seven Eleven shop on Abbey Street where the defibrillator was located.

John Summers of the Arklow Community First Responders said “It is unthinkable what has happened, this is not just an attack on a life saving piece of equipment this is an attack on the community, the community have paid for these defibrillators, but I have been overwhelmed by the support of the community of Arklow and beyond.”

The CCTV footage has been viewed almost 300,000 times since it was posted on Thursday morning and has received national media coverage.

Gardai are appealing to the public to come forward with any information to call Arklow Gardai station at 0402-32304.

Billy Nolan of the Seven Eleven with a replacement defibrillator which is available in his shop on Abbey Street

John Hopkins and Susan Gorman of the County Wicklow First Responders quickly replaced the equipment and it is available during opening hours at the Seven Eleven, with a replacement set to be installed on Tuesday.

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